Photo by Stacy Neubeck CNA student Mandy Klefsaas stopped to talks with Avera Morningside Heights resident Jill Boehne while taking her to the dining room for dinner.

MARSHALL — Mandy Klefsaas says she’s following her dream.

After about 13 years of working as a certified nursing assistant, the Bellingham resident and mom of three is starting down the path toward becoming a registered nurse. And a certification training opportunity in Marshall is helping to make the journey possible.

“Without it, I might have lost my chance,” Klefsaas said.

Klefsaas is among the students taking a CNA course at the campus of Avera Marshall Medical Center. This week, students began the clinical portion of the class, working together with Avera staff to help care for patients. In addition to being a good refresher for Klefsaas, she said the training will help enable her to go on to LPN and RN programs.

Minnesota West Community and Technical College and Avera Marshall recently announced that they are partnering to offer a CNA training program and testing location at the Avera Marshall campus. Minnesota West received about $88,000 in grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Health for training equipment and supplies for the project.

“I think everyone is excited,” said Holly Mellendorf, director of nursing at Avera Morningside Heights.

“I think the biggest thing it brings to us is the hands-on approach to CNA,” she said.

CNA students benefit from getting a chance to work with staff at Avera Marshall, and gain valuable experience from the clinical portion of the program.

“The instructors have had great experiences so far,” Mellendorf said.

Minnesota West representatives said having a CNA testing site in Marshall was also a plus for CNA students. The nearest testing locations to Marshall are in Granite Falls and Pipestone — which could mean a trip of 30 miles or more for some students.

Klefsaas said travel was a challenge she faced as she prepared to further her nursing education. At the time, there wasn’t a CNA course available in Granite Falls, and other Minnesota West locations would be a long drive from Lac qui Parle County. The class in Marshall was “a great opportunity,” she said.

“It’s a great location for them to be able to offer it,” Klefsaas said.

The Marshall area also has potential job opportunities for CNA students, she said.

Klefsaas said the CNA class started with an online portion, and then simulation lab and clinical portions at Avera Marshall. The lab featured equipment like beds, mannequins and more.

“They have everything you could possibly need,” she said. “We can practice a lot of skills,” from making beds to doing personal care and safely moving patients, she said.

After about two weeks of classroom training, students began the clinical part of the course, Klefsaas said. Students worked shifts caring for patients while paired with Avera Marshall staff members.

“It’s been really special,” Klefsaas said.

She and other students have gotten to bring Morningside Heights residents to meals, visit their rooms, and more.

During the clinical portion of the class, “We had a choice to switch units if we wanted,” Klefsaas said. However, she said she and her classmates decided they would each stay with the same unit, to cause less disruption for their patients.

Mellendorf said Morningside Heights currently has a full nursing staff, but it’s still a benefit to have CNA training and testing available at the Avera Marshall campus. For some nursing assistants, getting CNA certification is a stepping stone toward becoming a Trained Medication Aide, an LPN or an RN.

Making training and testing opportunities available also helps fill much-needed health care roles in the region. The Midwest is facing an ongoing nursing shortage, Mellendorf said.

“Expanding local access to training is one way we can help build and maintain a rural health care workforce,” said Debbie Streier, Avera Marshall regional president and CEO, in a news release announcing the CNA partnership. “As our population ages, having trained staff available to maintain health care services here in our communities is critical.”

Klefsaas said her experiences as part of the CNA class in Marshall have been positive.

“Everyone was so wonderful and helpful,” she said. “It’s going to be a great opportunity for many people.”